Stephen C. McKinney Memorial Thread (1969-2001)

Post by **Furls Fire** » Wed Jan 21, 2004 5:52 pm

Isaiah Update: There has been alot of improvement!

The hive rash seems to be abating, he's off the respirator, can swallow, and had another spinal tap last night which showed that the CTM is responding to the Ampho B. The PCP and his intestinal infection are still clinging to him, but his pain has lessened and he's even been talking alittle around the new trach. He was moved from ICU into a regular room this morning. I believe we may be over the hump of this crisis, everyone...please keep the prayers coming... God is listening.

Peace

Tracie

Post by **dANdeLION** » Wed Jan 21, 2004 6:56 pm

That's excellent news, Furl! My bro did fine with the surgery, but as of yet I know nothing of the biopsy results. Thanks for all your prayers.

Post by **duchess of malfi** » Wed Jan 21, 2004 7:39 pm

Good news from both of you!

And for those of you who have asked, here is a bit about my father's death, what I had said to Damelon last night...(feels weird quoting myself

)

On the day he died, my father was very weak, but when my sister went to visit him, he asked for a reading from the book of Matthew, and wanted to listen to some gospel music on the little CD player in his room. He then asked to see the pictures of all of his daughters and grandchildren, and smiled at them all, then went to sleep. The rehab center called her later and said he was passing, so she hurried out there, and when she came into the room he didn't say anything, but he clearly recognized her and gave her a smile, then he slipped into unconciousness and then slipped away. So he wasn't alone, which was my greatest fear for him. When he had cancer surgery a few years ago and I flew down for him, he was terrified of death. Apparently he had made peace with death and God and with himself, and was ready for it now. And the last act of his life was to smile.
The little town where he died was beautiful. It is called Westmoreland, TN, near the border with Kentucky, and in a very hilly area. It was sprinkling snow yesterday morning, and the drive there from my sister's house in Gallatin was lovely. There were rolling hills and horse farms, cliffs, creeks, and even a waterfall or two. It made me feel better to know that what he saw on his last journey would have pleased him so much, as he loved nature so.

My father was a good man, who spent his life in service of others. He was born in 1922 in the backmost hills of West Virginia, in the hollers of Panther Creek in McDowell County. His father's first wife had died, and his mother was his father's second wife. That first marriage had three sons, and the second produced eight children, of whom my father was the second oldest. When my father was still young, his father died of tuberculosis and inflammation of his brain. All of the children had to drop out of school to work odd jobs and try to support the large family. A lot of the weight of that fell on him and his oldest full brother. One of the little ones actually died of hunger during the Depression. My father always felt partially responsible for that, and often dreamed of a child crying from hunger.

When World War 2 broke out, my father and his two surviving brothers and one of the half brothers all joined up, sending their paychecks home to support the family. My father served in the Army Air Force, and saw fighting in Northern Africa and Italy. When the War was over he came home to West Virginia.
The GI bill allowed him to return to school. Of all of the things in his life, he was most proud of making up grades 3-12 in one year, then being admitted to college. He graduated with honors from Concord College in Athens, West Virginia, where he met and married my mother.
He taught school in West Virginia for a few years, but he could not make a living at it down there, and always had to work a second job. So in the late 1950's he moved up to Michigan, with my mother and three older sisters. He worked at Lake Orion Public Schools until he retired in the 1980's.
My mother became mentally ill about the time I was born in the mid 1960's, and she became a very manipulative and abusive person. Since my sisters were so much older than I was, the brunt of this fell upon my father and I. Though his life was unspeakably difficult, he stayed with my mother and took care of her, depite her abuse, paranoia, and hatred until she died two springs ago. He never blamed her, knowing that she was ill, and quietly took care of her for all of those years, always faithful and loyal to her.
He went through many things in his life. He survived the Great Depression and WW2. He survived hepatitus and cancer. He survived emotional abuse most people could not imagine, and faced it with grace and forgiveness. But he lost heart after my mother's death, and never really got over it. They had been married for over 50 years.
He was such a good man. I got my love of nature and books and music from him. Family was so important to him, and he loved us all so much! I know that after having to endure so much in his life that he is now at peace, and he is happy, and he is being healed from all of his trials and hurts. I will always love him, and always be proud that he was my father.

Post by **Fist and Faith** » Wed Jan 21, 2004 11:35 pm

ALL RIGHT SHADOW!!!!!

Dan, though it's hell typing like this, my fingers are crossed for your brother. Very happy it's going so well so far!!

duchess,
Your father sounds like a marvelous person!!! He truly deserves to be shared on this thread.

And what you just wrote about him is a beautiful homage. Well done. Which leads my thoughts to the fact that he had every bit as much reason to be proud that you were his daughter as you had to be proud that he was your father. You are a joy to us, and I'm sure you were to him.

Post by **Furls Fire** » Thu Jan 22, 2004 4:05 pm

dAN, I'm praying for good news, and very happy your brother came thru the biopsy well.

Duchy, your father was truly one of the great ones. I hope he finds peace and light in the arms of the Father. Who knows, he may even meet Stephen, sit out by the well, and have a laugh about all of us still here in this life.

You have honored us with his life story, and yours.

To your father...

You Raise Me Up --Josh Groban

When I am down, and oh my soul so weary
When troubles come, and my heart burdened be
Then, I am still and wait here in the silence
Until you come and sit awhile with me

You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas
I am strong when I am on your shoulders
You raise me up, to more then I can be...

God bless you both always.

***********************

Isaiah is doing beautifully! The infections are finally responding to the meds. He's sitting up, eating a little and they will remove and close the trach this morning. (which he is very happy about). He's still very weak and will probably be in the hospital at least another 5 or so days, barring anymore complications. Thank you all for your prayers and well wishes! Nothing can conquer the power of love!

Post by **Fist and Faith** » Thu Jan 22, 2004 10:47 pm

Furls Fire wrote:Nothing can conquer the power of love!

Post by **Furls Fire** » Fri Jan 23, 2004 2:49 am

Did your quoter thingie get stuck again???

Post by **Fist and Faith** » Fri Jan 23, 2004 3:07 am

Nope. Just trying to make a point.

Post by **Furls Fire** » Fri Jan 23, 2004 3:10 am

Post by **Furls Fire** » Fri Jan 23, 2004 4:28 pm

More good news everyone! Shadow recieved a blood transfusion yesterday afternoon, boosting his CD4 count above 100, which is still not the greatest, but it's better then 45, which is what it was when he was admitted a week and a half ago. He continues to improve, there is no sign of fever, the CTM has become managable so he's now off of the Ampho B and now on Diflucan. This is much better as the side effects are not as severe. He still battles the PCP and the KS intestinal infection, but his Dr (who just happens to be one of my best friends) says that she sees no reason why he can't be released by early next week.

"My children, we should love people not only with words and talk, but by our actions and true caring." --I: John 3:18 NRSV

I believe that it was all of your love and prayers that brought Isaiah out of this crisis. Thank you all so much. Love grows by giving. The only love we give away is the only love we keep.

Post by **duchess of malfi** » Fri Jan 23, 2004 5:34 pm

Ah, Furls. Very very good news!

Post by **Fist and Faith** » Sat Jan 24, 2004 3:38 am

FANTASTIC!!!!! Come ooooooooooooooooooon Shadow! We need your posts!!!

Hey, this is from a comic book I read today:

"Isn't it better to help out all people in need simply because they are in need? Because we can help?"

Fire, I didn't know you wrote comics!

Post by **Furls Fire** » Sat Jan 24, 2004 3:48 am

Shhhhhhhhhhh...that's supposed to be a secret!!

Post by **Furls Fire** » Sun Jan 25, 2004 3:19 pm

Hail everyone! Well, it seems like we made it thru this one...If I can arrange nursing (necessary because of the IV meds he is on), Isaiah will be coming home sometime tomorrow (monday). This was a close call, but he prevailed.

Once again, thank you all for your words of encouragement, your prayers, and your kind thoughts. God bless

Post by **duchess of malfi** » Sun Jan 25, 2004 3:47 pm

Very good news.

I for one, really hope to be able to meet him in New Mexico.

Post by **Furls Fire** » Sun Jan 25, 2004 4:43 pm

We hope for that too, duchy!!

Post by **Fist and Faith** » Sun Jan 25, 2004 5:59 pm

Such great news!!!

He's got a lot of posting to catch up on!!

Post by **Furls Fire** » Mon Jan 26, 2004 4:41 am

Post by **birdandbear** » Mon Jan 26, 2004 8:30 pm

duchess of malfi wrote:Very good news.
I for one, really hope to be able to meet him in New Mexico.

I really hope to be able to hug him with my own arms, instead of Furl's (certainly not unworthy!

)surrogate ones.

You had all better just watch out. I intend to tackle each and every one of you when we get there!

Post by **Furls Fire** » Tue Jan 27, 2004 2:38 pm

He's home!! And doing beautifully! I'm sure he will log on sometime today or tomorrow. He's still sick so his visits won't be very long, but he's anxious to come on and thank everyone for their prayers.

And LOL birdie!! I plan to do my share of "tackling" too if it works out that we can come.

Peace all

Kevin's Watch

Kevin's Watch

Stephen C. McKinney Memorial Thread (1969-2001)